The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.
Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.
Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.
Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.
All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.
The Harlequin, Bauhaus Painting Grid, Op Art Modern Geometry on Paper, 2026
Located in Barcelona, ES
Details: Title: The Harlequin III Medium: Acrylic Painting on Watercolor Paper Size: 40x28 inches total, (100x70 cm) Year: 2026 Signature: Right Corner and Reverse Artist: Natalia Ro...
Acrylic
Cityscape Kinetic Optical Op Art Painting on Plexiglass by L.L. Long
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bold and visually kinetic Op Art geometric cityscape by L. L. Long, created in 1980 and signed "L.L. Long – 80" in the lower right corner. Executed in reverse spray paint on Lucite...
Plexiglass, Spray Paint
$720
Mid-Tone Diagonal Transparency, Geometric Patchwork, Pink, Purple, Black Circles
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series of paintings by Natalia Roman gathers its inspiration from geometric, minimalist shapes and paintings from the beginning of Modernism, with a special emphasis on Art Deco...
Acrylic, Paper
Abstract Expressionism Painting Eclipse Color Shifting Metamorphic Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
A one of a kind signed original painting . Now you see it ... Now you don't! Excellent condition as pictured and framed ..Signed on the verso and monogram initials on the front by ...
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
Abstract Expressionism Painting Sunset Op Art Kinetic Metamorphic Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
A one of a kind signed original painting . Now you see it ... Now you don't! Excellent condition as pictured and framed ..Signed on the verso and monogram initials on the front by ...
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
$89,109
Patrick Hughes - Walls Have Ears, optical art, reverspective, op art, illusion
Located in London, GB
Patrick Hughes (b.1939) Walls have ears 2020 oil on board construction 66.5 x 80.5 x 16 cm Price: £66,000 GBP (inc. 20% UK VAT) Provenance: Direct from the artist's studio Notes: ...
Oil, Board
$3,050
H 60 in W 40 in
In The Presence of Fragrant Bliss - Abstract Landscape Mixed Media Art on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles artist Amber Goldhammer paints dramatic abstract compositions in acrylic on canvas featuring energetic brushstrokes. Goldhammer uses her contemporary paintings to express...
Canvas, Latex, Ink, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$22,817
H 39.77 in W 119.69 in D 0.6 in
Original Set Of 4 Oils-Autumn in London Series-British Awarded Artist-plein air
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
-These set of 4 paintings would be fully insured during shipping to worldwide. -We offer the original artwork with Artist’s lifetime Warranty. -Free Shipping Worldwide -Frames servic...
Gesso, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars, Wood
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
Includes a Certificate of Authenticity
Paper, Handmade Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache
$595
H 14 in W 16 in D 2 in
Antique Italian Lake Como "La Romantica" Framed Impressionist Landscape Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Italian oil painting. Oil on board. Framed. Measuring: 14 by 16 inches overall, and 12 by 14 painting alone. Unsigned. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil, Board
$1,620
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 0.99 in
Strawberry & Teal Nasturtiums, Contemporary Monet Style Art, Floral Painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Strawberry & Teal Nasturtiums by Catherine Ruth Church [2020] Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look Ho...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
The Deep Night - night painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The night painting with the bright Moon, the starry sky and a calm river is a beautiful wall decor, the painting is full of different cold colours. The ...
Oil, Board
$378
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 0.79 in
Peachy Saturdays, Contemporary Abstract Painting, original painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Rebecca's work is inspired by a lifelong love of nature, colour, and pattern. Growing up in Kew, she was deeply influenced by the beauty of Kew Gardens and its rich abundance of bota...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,079
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 0.12 in
Morning in the mountains - mountain landscape painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The sunny summer painting with mountains is a beautiful wall decor, the painting is created en plein air, the artwork is full of different bright colours, combinations of warm and co...
Oil, Board
$649Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.29 in W 16.23 in D 0.79 in
Nature Fluorescente Acrylic Painting on Paper with Surreal Landscape. Framed
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This acrylic painting on 400 g/m² Fabriano “Pittura” paper is part of a series of works created for Furtif, a French magazine, around the theme of “Lost Worlds.” In Nature Fluorescen...
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated Mid Century Modern painting was realized in the United States in 1972. Brimming with dynamic energy and verve, this work offers a vibrant abstract expressionist co...
Acrylic
$4,200
H 23 in W 31.5 in D 2.7 in
Colchester, bold energetic gestural mixed media abstraction
By C. Dimitri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Abstract, inventive depiction of an English landscape where the painter studied.
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil, Spray Paint, Permanent Marker
$1,659
H 25.6 in W 18.12 in D 0.79 in
"Abstract Landscape" Original Paint on Cotton Canvas, Marilina Marchica
Located in Agrigento, AG
Landscape mixed media on canvas 65x46 cm 2020 Ready to Hang Marilina Marchica, born in 1984, was born in Agrigento, where she lives and works. She graduated in Painting at the Acade...
Canvas, Pastel, Acrylic
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Springtime Mosaic Waves, Bauhaus Arches and Curves, Vivid Tones Triptych, Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series of abstract geometric paintings by Natalia Roman draws its inspiration from the sleek grids and curves of Bauhaus architecture, while at the same time exploring bright an...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Wildflower Harvest, Bauhaus Mosaic Triptych Painting, Paper, Vivid Tones Pattern
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series of abstract geometric paintings by Natalia Roman draws its inspiration from the sleek grids and curves of Bauhaus architecture, while at the same time exploring bright an...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Three Windows View, Bauhaus Triptych Painting Mosaic in Primary Tones, Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series of abstract geometric paintings by Natalia Roman draws its inspiration from the sleek grids and curves of Bauhaus architecture, while at the same time exploring bright an...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Postcard from Palermo, Bauhaus Mosaic Triptych, Primary Tones Geometry on Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This abstract geometric acrylic painting is a vibrant and playful composition that draws inspiration from vintage Italian parasols. With a focus on bold, bright colors and clean line...
Oil, Acrylic, Paper
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Peach Orchard Bloom, Bauhaus Mosaic Triptych in Pink, Geometric Landscape, Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This abstract geometric acrylic painting is a vibrant and playful composition that draws inspiration from vintage Italian parasols. With a focus on bold, bright colors and clean line...
Oil, Acrylic, Rag Paper
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Primary Tones Bauhaus Waves, Mosaic Triptych Architecture, Acrylic on Rag Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This abstract geometric acrylic painting is a vibrant and playful composition that draws inspiration from vintage Italian parasols. With a focus on bold, bright colors and clean line...
Oil, Acrylic, Rag Paper
Sold
H 40 in W 83 in
Autumn Tones Bauhaus Mosaic Geometric Triptych, Abstract Landscape Pastel Tones
Located in Barcelona, ES
This abstract geometric acrylic painting is a vibrant and playful composition that draws inspiration from vintage Italian parasols. With a focus on bold, bright colors and clean line...
Oil, Acrylic, Rag Paper
Sold
H 40 in W 28 in
Poppies & Wildflowers, Geometric Prairie Landscape, Red, Orange Vivid Tones
Located in Barcelona, ES
This abstract geometric acrylic painting is a vibrant and playful composition that draws inspiration from vintage Italian parasols. With a focus on bold, bright colors and clean line...
Oil, Watercolor, Paper
Sold
H 31 in W 43 in D 0.1 in
Vintage Acrylic Geometric Tropical Optical Landscape On Celluloid c.1989
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Acrylic Geometric Tropical Optical Landscape On Celluloid c.1989 An original op-art painting over a recycled Toyota advertising celluloid sheet Signed and dated (illegible ...
Acrylic